I am – Hercules!!
After tonight, only 26 days until the end of sweeps and the end of the season!!
1) “Enterprise” continues with its “Mirror Mirror” prequel as Evil Archer has to contend with a different FutureGuy than the one to which Good Archer is accustomed. Two notes on this: A) Of course Trip is supposed to look like Spock’s old radiation-scarred captain, Chris Pike. B) The evil theme song is maybe a million times better than the good theme song, and everyone who’s heard both knows this.
On a related note, Paramount sent over today the last episode of “Star Trek” ever. Turns out? NOT appalling. In fact, the never-disappointing Jolene Blalock, who called the episode “appalling,” is one of the best things about it. Also? There are things in the episode I’ve not seen reported anywhere. (The voices of Troi, Riker and Data are not the only familiar ones we hear!!) Also also? “These Are the Voyages… “ represents a far far better send-off for “Star Trek” generally, and the “Next Generation” crew in particular, than that flaccid, feculent, insulting “Nemesis” feature. More later.
2) Jon Favreau’s “Dinner For Five” is the best talk show on television, better than “Conan,” better than “Letterman,” better than “The Bernard Pivot Show,” probably the best talk show ever, and no one talks about it because it’s on IFC, and nobody bothers to subscribe to IFC. More’s the pity!!
What’s so great about “Dinner For Five”? A) No pre-interview. Favreau actually asks questions to which he’s curious to know the answers. B) Editing. A long leisurely dinner conversation is taped, but they just air the most interesting 30 or 40 minutes. C) Wine is served; everybody’s always a little hammered, and there is much candor. D) It's on a premium cable channel. No bleeping ever. Many cusswords are employed, often to hilarious effect.
Guests on tonight’s “Dinner For Five”? “O Brother Where Art Thou” vets Stephen Root and Tim Blake Nelson, David Duchovny (who likely will not discuss the reviews “House of D” is getting) and one of those guys who helped engineer some “Punk’d” pranks (Sorry, girls, it’s not Ashton!! So sad for you!!).
”Star Trek: Enterprise”: 8 p.m. Friday. UPN.
”Dinner For Five”: 10 p.m. Friday. IFC.
